United Way of Broward County Launches Mobile Resource Center

The first line of business for this long term initiative is to provide Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax preparation services for Broward families in financial need.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Today United Way of Broward County unveils its Mobile Resource Center which is an integral part of the Center for Working Families initiative. These Centers are strategically located at the Urban League of Broward County, Hispanic Unity and aboard the United Way’s retrofitted and innovative recreational vehicle dubbed the Mobile Resource Center which has the unique ability to reach pockets of the community where families do not have the time or the means to get to the fixed sites.

“Simply put the growing and dire financial needs of so many families in Broward County are the impetus for the Centers for Working Families,” states Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., President & CEO of United Way of Broward County. “The specially trained staff at each of the Centers is ready to begin working with these families to create individualized economic development plans which will initially focus on Earned Income Tax Credits and other tax preparation services.”

The Centers are modeled after the national United Way Worldwide Financial Stability Partnership, a comprehensive effort to substantially increase the number of families who are financially stable by the year 2018. The Centers will also offer employment preparation and placement, vocational assessment counseling, and GED services, public benefits screening, food, shelter and utilities services, foreclosure and loan remodification services, credit & debt counseling and banking needs.

“We know through experience and through research that it is extremely challenging to sustain a healthy family when the financial burdens are so great, “added Dr. O’Flannery Anderson. “We are confident the strategic mindset behind this initiative coupled with the experience we bring to the table and the commitment of all of our partners, will greatly enhance the likelihood of easing short and long term financial burden for our Broward families who are most in need.”

Initial partners for the Centers for Working Families include Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF), the Urban League of Broward County, the Children’s Services Council, Consolidated Credit Counseling, Broward County Human Services Department, Family Success Administration, Bank of America, BankAtlantic, Florida Department of Children and Families, Internal Revenue Service, Broward College, Local Housing Authorities, WorkForce One.

The unveiling of the Mobile Resource Center will take place this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Miramar Multi-Service Complex located at 6700 Miramar Parkway.